Monday, January 16, 2012

When I first decided to use cloth diapers, I also decided to use cloth wipes. There was never any question not to; it just seemed like the logical thing to do. This is a description of my system, and some other options for you to consider.

I have the Prince Lionheart cloth wipes warmer. I registered for it at Babies R Us and received it as a baby gift. I wish I could send you to a local small business to purchase it, but for now they only sell to big box stores. I still love the warmer, though. I keep mine wet at all times. For a long time I used my own wipe solution: 1 TBS baby soap, 1 TBS olive oil and water. I now use the Clean B cloth wipes solution because it is really easy to use, inexpensive, and smells great. One $6.50 bottle will make 30 , 8 oz batches.

Ways to use cloth wipes at home.

1. Store them wet in a cloth wipes warmer.
2. Store them wet in a plastic container with a lid.
3. Store them dry and use a spray bottle with solution to spray on the wipe or directly on baby.
4. Store them dry and use a peri bottle to pour on wipe.
5. Store them dry, and store a solution in a large container. Dip the dry wipe into the container to moisten each time.

Using water only:

Do not store wipes wet with water only. They will get musty very quickly. However, you can store wipes dry and moisten with water at each diaper change. Water works fine, but a solution really does work better with stuck on poop and to freshen baby's bottom.

I use the AppleCheeks spray and also use it to wipe messy little hands and faces.

Types of Cloth Wipes:

I originally purchased the Prince Lionheart wipes that came with the warmer. I would not recommend these. They shrank considerably and are really too small to work well. My favorites are the Thirsties Fab Wipes. They are large, thick, and soft with cotton velour on one side and microfleece on the other. Kristina loves the terry cloth GroVia wipes. We also carry AppleCheeks, FuzziBunz, Planetwise, and Imse Vimse wipes. All are great brands. You can also use baby washcloths if they are large and thick, or make your own wipes.

Using cloth wipes is a breeze. I throw the dirty wipe in the pail or wet bag with the diapers and wash them all together. If you use disposable wipes, you are either throwing them in a separate trash can, or are picking them out of the clean laundry after they've been needlessly washed. To me, that is an unnecessary added step.

Cost Savings:

How many wipes will you need? I suggest having around 24 wipes or one for each diaper that you have. You will spend $1-$2 per wipe. Disposable wipes will cost around $550 from birth to potty training. That's over $500 in savings!
Health of Baby:

Have you ever had a pediatrican tell you not to use wipes when Baby has a bad rash? That's because disposable wipes burn. Disposable wipes contain preservatives, surfactants, artificial fragrance and parabens. The wipes themselves are made from melted plastic pellets and pressed synthetic materials.

What would you want wiping your bottom? For me, it was an easy decision. I hope you will consider the benefits of using cloth wipes if you are not already using them.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

I have to admit, it took me a long time to get on board with wool diaper covers. I live in Oklahoma, and it gets hot here. Why in the world would I make my baby hotter by wrapping her bum in a sweater? And how could I possibly expect a fabric to prevent diapers from leaking? And what’s up with not washing the cover after every use? I just could not comprehend why people loved wool diaper covers.However, I had a little girl, and ruffled wool longies are adorable. I bought a few pairs for Paige to wear as pants. Of course, under the longies was a waterproof cloth diaper with a PUL outer. I sure wasn’t about to let any urine get on her cute pants.

Two years later I had a little boy. I was prepared. I had cloth diapered another child, and I had the cute newborn diapers from The Changing Table’s newborn rental program. I soon discovered, however, that diapering a boy is not as easy as diapering a girl. It took a couple weeks and several leaks, but I finally figured out how to fold inserts to help with the wetness in the front. Now to conquer the nighttime leaks. Although I am an advocate of frequent diaper changes, Asher would eat at night and fall right back to sleep. I couldn’t bring myself to wake him for diaper changes, so I needed a more absorbent solution. I decided to try wool again, but this time I was determined to use it the right way.

How do you use wool? Wool is absorbent. It will hold up to 30% of it's own weight in fluid. It also naturally distributes the moisture, so you do not have an excess of moisture in any one spot. To make it a bullet-proof (leak proof) solution, wool should be lanolized. I use the Imse Vimse Wool Shampoo and Wool Cure. It’s simple to use. Just hand wash the wool cover in the shampoo, mix a little of the wool cure in water, soak the cover, wring, and hang dry. You can also use pure lanoline. Just add a drop to some hot water to dissolve, then pour it into cool water and follow the instructions above.

Even without being lanolized, wool is wonderful.

1. It is naturally antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antimicrobial.2. It is breathable.3. It is cool in the summer and warm in the winter.4. It is durable and will last through many children.5. Because it is antibacterial, it does not need to be washed much.6. And as noted above, wool will absorb up to 30% of its own weight and redistribute the moisture.

Asher wears his diaper for 11 hours at night. When I take off the wool cover, it is wet inside and smells like urine. I simply hang the cover to dry. Wool will naturally salinize the urine (turn it to salt). When it's dry the smell is gone. I just shake it out a little and reuse it the next night.

When a wool diaper cover starts to smell when dry, it should be hand washed and relanolized. Depending on how often the cover is used, this may have to be done only once a month. What can be simpler than that?

The most wonderful thing about wool is how breathable it is. I change Asher every 2-3 hours during the day, but sometimes he still gets a little redness on his bottom. With a little bit of coconut oil or bum bum balm, a good fitted diaper and wool cover, his bottom will be completely cleared up in the morning....after 11 hours in a wet diaper. It is amazing!So all of my wool fears with Paige were completely unfounded. Wool is not hot in the summer. Not only is it cooling, but it’s breathable and can help prevent and cure diaper rash. Fabric can prevent leaking, especially when lanolized, and with the natural anti-bacterial and salinizing properties of wool, you really don’t have to wash it each time. I have definitely found the love of wool. My next quest: to make my own upcycled wool covers.